U.S. under-20 national team coach Sigi Schmid called up 22 players for the team's final training camp at the Home Depot Center before the U-20s attempt to qualify for the 2005 World Youth Championship.

The players will arrive into camp on Jan. 2, and Schmid will select his final 18-player roster days before the U.S. competes in Group A of the ...

ON THE MOVE: Selolwane, Whitfield leave Chicago for Salt LakePosted by Soccer America on Dec. 30, 3:08 p.m.Forward DIPSY SELOLWANE, a Botswana national team forward who played college ball at St. Louis University, and defender EVAN WHITFIELD, a five-year MLS veteran, have been traded from the Chicago Fire to Real Salt Lake for a third-round 2005 draft selection and a second-round 2006 pick. Selolwane made five starts in 19 appearances and scored twice for Chicago in 2004, ...» 0 Comments

ON THE MOVE: Clavijo, Spector, Karbassiyoon ...Posted by Soccer America on Dec. 27, 4:06 p.m.FERNANDO CLAVIJO takes over as the Colorado Rapids' new head coach, replacing Tim Hankinson, who was let go after the Rapids were eliminated from the 2004 MLS playoffs at the quarterfinal stage. Clavijo, 47, a Uruguayan native who moved to the United States in 1979 and played for USA in the 1994 World Cup, coached the New England Revolution in ...» 0 Comments

OFF THE POST: Christmas Party PerilsPosted by Soccer America on Dec. 27, 4:04 p.m.Since Danish World Cup veteran Stig Tofting was kicked off of his Danish First Division club AGF Aarhus for fighting at the team's Christmas party, bad behavior at yuletide bashes have come to England.

Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton, 22, was fined six weeks wages, about $170,000, for poking teammate Jamie Tandy in the eye with a lit cigar ...» 0 Comments

OFF THE POST: In a pillory, perhaps?Posted by Soccer America on Dec. 20, 6:03 p.m.Two soccer fans who made racial taunts at Barcelona players have been fined $8,000 each and banned for five months, but FIFA President Sepp Blatter has proposed another form of punishment

Blatter has suggested that racist soccer fans be placed in the middle of the field to be shamed in public while the game is suspended.

Winners:

Barcelona's Brazilian attacker RONALDINHO has been named FIFA World Player of the Year, which is voted on by national team coaches and captains. U.S. coach Bruce Arena voted for (1) Frenchman Thierry Henry, (2) Czech Pavel Nedved and (3) Ukrainian Andriy Shevchenko. U.S. captain Claudio Reyna voted for (1) Henry, (2) Nedved and (3) Ronaldinho. Five points were ...» 0 Comments

The U.S. under-20 menÆs national team split squads beat the Canada under-20 national team, 1-0, and Necaxa of Mexico, 2-1, in the first of two days of games during their 12-day training camp at The Home Depot Center.

The Grey team used an early goal by UCLA's Chad Barrett to cruise to a 1-0 victory over Canada, while the Blue ...